A 69-year-old Stratford woman was taking out garbage from her apartment when she was struck and killed by a backhoe Sunday, say police.
At the request of the family, police did not release the victim's name. Sources confirmed, though, that the woman was Dolena (Dolly) Gillis, the mother of Charlottetown fire inspector Winston Bryan.
RCMP Sgt. Denis Morin says an eyewitness saw the woman cross behind the backhoe that was clearing snow in the parking lot of an apartment complex on Glen Stewart Drive.
The driver didn't see Gillis and the woman apparently did not see the backhoe backing up, perhaps because snow was falling at the time.
Gillis was immediately taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown but later died as a result of her injuries.
George Stewart, director of the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Workers Compensation Board of P.E.I., was quickly on the scene following the 12:30 p.m. incident.
He says the driver of the backhoe, a young man appearing to be between 19 and 25, was beside himself over the tragedy.
"He was distraught … he just looked at me," said Stewart.
Stewart says Occupational Health and Safety will do a "fairly straightforward" investigation to assess whether preventative measures such as a back-up beeper and a back-up flasher were operating at the time of the collision.
The investigation is expected to take only a few days.
Since the victim was not a worker, the involvement of Occupational Health and Safety is minimal, with investigation of the fatality primarily falling under police jurisdiction, added Stewart.
He notes the private snow removal company that the backhoe operator was working for Sunday has a good reputation.
Morin says police will review all the facts to see if any charges against the operator are warranted.
Gillis is survived by two sons.
Visitation is Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Belvedere Funeral Home in Charlottetown.
The funeral will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Belvedere Funeral Home.
Stratford woman struck, killed by backhoe
- Published on January 5th, 2010
- Published on June 14th, 2010
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Staff ~ Farm Focus
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Comments
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- Debbie
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:42:54
I am truly appalled at the lack of respect that the Guardian has shown towards the family of Dolly. Why would they go against their wishes ? Is there a law somewhere that states you have to write everything a source tells you ??? There is absolutely no excuse . I truly hope that whom ever was responsible for this decision never finds themselves in this families situation in the future . Thank you to the police department for showing respect towards Dolly and her family..you tried !!!
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- Shame on the Guardian
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:42:43
So the family asks for the name not to be released and here's the Guardian releasing it to the public. Have you no shame?
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- carol
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:42:33
I knew Dolly and her whole family. She was a kind and gentle human being and the folks from her hometown in Louisbourg were very shocked to hear of Dolly's death. My condolences go to her family and friends in PEI.
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- justaguess
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:39:22
This might be way out there but maybe they released the name after the fact. The main story ran yesterday and the police were withholding the victims name, they usually do that for the first day to make sure all family have been notified. The story in todays papers states that it was updated today so maybe they were entitled to the victims name since time has passed.
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- J
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:35:40
This will undoubtedly be a topic addressed in Holland College's journalism ethics class this week, with both sides will having valid points.
And that said, my sincerest condolences to the family. -
- Greg the Trainor
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:34:51
Even the Guardian knows this is greasy, they have no problem printing her name but I don't see an authors name attached to the article.
SHAME. -
- Friend
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:34:02
R.I.P. Dolly, you were a beautiful person and a great friend of my families. What a tragedy. Guardian, shame on you, when family requests her name not to be release, you should respect their wishes. This is already upsetting enough to family and you can't even abide by their wishes.
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- can'tbelievewhatiamreadin
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:33:35
paul from pei you are an idiot
How can you compare this awful accident to some dirtbag looser selling drugs??? You are truly an idiot -
- Shannon
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:29:46
This is PEI. We all would of found out who it was anyways.
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- bigjim
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:28:12
I remember a time when the media had class enough to respect the wishes of the family in these instances. We all know that everyone milling around an accident scene like this knows the victim. Quoting inside information from sources doesn't impress anyone with your investigative journalism skills and zealous pursuit of the truth. To the contrary, it makes you look pathetic and untrustworthy, both at the journalist and editorial levels.
I am sure that the family and friends of the victim truly enjoyed finding out their loved one had passed from reading the newspaper.
I'm sure my comment will join many more with the same opinion in not being published. -
- David
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:24:56
So what is the big deal if they did release the name?
This is news whether the woman's family like it or not.
It is news from several angles and the family of the deceased while maybe trying todeal with their grief would like her name not released doesn't get to control the media.
No Apologies neceesary from the media in this story.
The family of deceased does not get to dictate to the Guradian or any other media outlet what is relased and what is not.
The only apolgies anyone should be concerned about here would becomig from the operator and owber of the backhoe.
Grow up people.!! -
- TheGuardianSucks
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:22:48
At the request of the family, police did not release the victims name.
Though the Guardian doesn't seem to have a problems bypassing the familys request.
Jerks! -
- john
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:20:34
the family had her name in the deaths in mondays paper . there are alot of names not told in many crimes these are the names i like to read. news is news i would like to read the names in any story. but in the right time,but this story is not done wrong. if the family puts the name in the deaths , the paper did not do anything wrong.
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- Paul
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:19:45
These accidents are never easy on anyone...family, friends or readers!, however to demand that a name not appear by request of family would open up Pandora's Box!
What if a month down the road a family requested that their childs name was kept out of the paper because he was caught dealing dope at the local primary school...you think the Guardian should respect that request? would you not like to know who to keep an eye on? I'm sure all will agree to publish the name and photo...except for the up and coming dope dealers. It's just hard to step back when this accident was such a shocker. -
- carol
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:19:36
I am so sad to hear of Dolly's passing. Dolly was from my hometown of Louisbourg. I remember her in the younger years. We will all miss you Dolly. A caring and wonderful person. Dolly's mom just died about two weeks ago and it is a double loss for the MacKinnon family. My condolences to all family members.
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- chtown
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:16:48
This poor family and young driver of the backoe have to live with this loss and guilt ,why can't everyone get something else better to do .Go spend times with the ones you love and let these people be.
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- chtowngirl
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:13:41
I totally agree with David. This is news so they are going to release names whether anyone likes it or not. Her death was in the paper so we knew her name then.
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- Sue
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:10:36
Next of Kin need to be notiifed of a death,either by police or family BEFORE it gets printed in the newspaper.Out of respect for those who do not want to find out about a loved ones tragic death reading the mornings paper!They could have could have waited the appropiate time .
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- Quiet
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:09:57
Both the CBC and the Guardian owqe this family a huge apology. The name of this lady was not news and the family, in mourning a tragic death, made a simple request.
Shame on the media. Shame.
I think I will redirect my businesses advertising dollars somewhere other than the Guardian for a while. They don't deserve my money. -
- Sincere Sympathy
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:07:18
My Sincere Sympathy to the family. A very tragic loss.
RE: The name being released. The CBC had a story on Compass last night and also on their Web Site. -
- SG
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:03:56
The death was published Jan. 4th in the Guardian.
The Guardian reported the death on Jan. 4th and did not release the name. CBC reported the death on Jan. 3rd. and did not release the name. It is customary not to release the name untill the next of kin is notified. I understood that when the Death Notice is submitted in the newpaper the family have been notified.
Last night CBC Compass covered the story and had a report by a neighbour who witnessed the accident.
Anyone who reads the Daily Obituaries in the Guardian would have seen the notice on Jan. 4th. So wouldn't the name have already been released? Yet, the Guardian did not report the name on Jan. 4th. So wouldn't the Guardian have respected the family's request? -
- TJ
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:01:17
So will the Guardian now post a PUBLIC APOLOGY to the family for breaching the trust placed in thenm by the family by requesting to NOT have the victim's name released? Who will stand up and take responsibility..the staff writer, the editor, management!?!?!?!? It was a very unfortunate incident for both the victim and the operator of the snow plow. Imagine what he is going through right now..... my sincerest symapthies to all involved in this tragic, tragic event.
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- John
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:57:40
When a pedestrian dies as the result of an accident, it's not a private matter. At any rate, the advent of the Internet, along with the modern news cycle, guarantees that the names of people involved in any particular incident will make the news, with other details of the story. And the reason is simple - the public wants to know. In this particular case, many people knew the name of the lady who died before the story was published by the media. The media doesn't owe anybody an apology.
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- just another parent
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:54:28
A number of years ago our family loss someone in a freak accident and the paper and local tv release the details and names. I don't think any of us wanted everyone to know how she died and what she went through in her last minutes. During the visiting hours we had to hear the same questions over and over again from people that were just plain being noisy. A large number of people said that just want to see what shape her body was in and couldn't believe that it was an opened casket. Yes even in Pei we have people that are crazy and have way to much time on their hands! So people when families are dealing with an accident mine your own business at least leave the funeral before you start talking. I am in total agreement when someone is seeking to keep info private and the Guardian didn't keep to release her son name and his job.
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- From the East!
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:51:27
David you are a complete idiot..the family did not want the name released..yes it is news-but there is no need for the name to be released
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- flo
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:48:12
Is nothing private anymore?has the press got nothing more to do with their time. the fact the ladies name was printed before the mounties okayed it was just wrong.there is no respect in the world anymore .how sad is that??
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- Just My Opinion
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:48:06
I can't say with certainty but I am 85% sure that today is the first time I have seen this lady's name in the Guardian.
However, I believe the name was released by other Media on Monday and I would assume that is what the Guardian is referring to in stating that (Sources Confirmed though).
(At the request of the family, police did not release the victims name. Sources confirmed, though, that the woman was....)
Just my opinion, but I would also suspect that the family wouldn't derive any solace should they come across these comments. And I doubt they would welcome the controversy, bickering and criticism. In my opinion, it is only prolonging what most want to come to an end! If you don't want further discussion a subject the best idea is not to mention it! -
- Marvin
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:47:59
I would like to offer my sincere sympathy to Winston at this time.
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- BOB DOLE
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:40:18
Why would the Guardian print the woman's name after they asked her name NOT to be released? show some respect. sometimes the media makes me sick!
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- Respect Is Needed
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:38:52
For all of you who dont think this is a big deal that a woman died and had her name published in the paper, after the family specificly said NO, need to give there head a shake.
For you this is entertainment, think about the family. -
- PEI
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:35:59
At the request of the family, police did not release the victims name
And thats how it should of stayed. You people make me sick. Shame shame shame.
Think about it if it was your mother or grandmother and the Island newspaper when against your wishes.
Next time make a better judgement call. D= -
- IslanderGirl
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:35:51
I agree with all your posts, but keep in mind that her name was written in the deaths in the guardian yesterday which would have been submitted by the family to allow people to know where the funeral arrangements were. Although, the article did not go into details on how she died, the name was still released. I can completely understand the families request and do agree if the family requested the police to not release it, the guardian shouldn't have either in that article. Anyone who knew the family and Dolly well would have already been able to match the death with this tragic accident.
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- The Cat
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:35:42
Well Have You No Shame, if you feel ashamed to say you work for the paper (and I really wonder if you do) than why not show some principle and quit?
As to The Guardian releasing the name what is the problem? The newspaper did what it is mandated to do and that is to print the news. The family asked the police not to release the name and they did not so the paper got the name somewhere else. CBC released the name and it was in the deaths along with her photo. -
- Darren
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:34:15
First of all, and most importantly, I offer my sincerest condolences to the family for their tragic loss.....
I must also say that I am utterly appalled that The Guardian chose to reveal the victim's name when the family clearly requested privacy in this matter. A shameful disrespect for a grieving family!!!
